The Fraser Way 2014: Madrid last day

Enjoying our last day in Madrid - started out by going to Starbucks on the way to the Buen Retiro - the big park (350 acres) here-bigger than Central Park in NY but not sure if it is bigger than Stanley Park. It belonged to royalty until the late 19th Century.

As usual we experienced, at Starbucks,the Roma beggars, they have a network, and it appears, a patriarch that manages them. They move from open air restaurant to restaurant. The old ladies always walk hunched over, have bare feet and a cane and as soon as no one is looking they straighten up and walk without guile.

Fountain across from Starbucks in night and day

Yesterday we went to the Thyssen-Bournemisza Museum which houses a magnificent art collection from one family. There seems to be quite a bit of family upheaval about which piece belongs to who, won't bore you with story but google them if you are interested.

In the evening yesterday we were invited to the home, via our friend Marike,of Ramon Pelinski, his wife Pilar and daughter Terese (hope I have the correct spelling). We had a wonderful evening and food, topped of by a walk to the park nearby which houses a temple from Abu Simbel given to the Spanish people at the time of the flooding.

Terese is an IB student going into her final year of the diploma programme. She is very knowledgeable so made for interesting conversations. Those who know Sharon know her respect for the IB programme.

Pilar is a professor of musicology at a university a 4 hour train ride from Madrid so needless to say as much work as possible is done via the internet! Blair had an especially nice evening with Ramon as he shares many characteristics physically and philosophically of Blair's late father. Thank you again for a great evening!

"Arche de Triomphe" of Madrid a few blocks from Ramon and Pilar's

Blair with our gracious hosts

Sharon on our walk home

So today we had a lovely walk in the park thinking no art today, but wait, guess what, two exhibitions of modern art in pavilions in the park, one of a contemporary of Basquiat and another an installation piece in the Crystal Palace! Following the park, we went for Tapas in the Plaza followed by siesta which Sharon is using for washing up and packing for tomorrow's trip to St John Pied de Port and the beginning of our Camino. This evening we will have one last experience of the frenetic night life and late night suppers of Madrid. We are starting to wonder if everyone just hangs out here.

Interesting stat Madrid has more bars per capita than anywhere in the world :)